Miami Heat Triumph in OT Against Cavaliers 140-138

In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Miami Heat triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a score of 140-138, highlighted by Andrew Wiggins' spectacular alley-oop dunk at the buzzer. The game began with Miami struggling offensively, failing to score in the first two minutes and missing their initial six shots.

According to Hot Hot Hoops, it was Wiggins who finally got Miami on the scoreboard, but they quickly fell behind by eight points as Cleveland showcased strong early play. Coach Erik Spoelstra called a timeout to regroup the team.

This timeout proved effective as Jaquez Jr. entered the game and sparked a rally, leading to a 9-1 run that brought Miami back into contention. By the end of the first quarter, Cleveland held a five-point advantage, but Miami's Fontecchio was a standout, shooting 3-for-5 from three-point range and scoring 11 points in just six minutes.

The Heat continued to fight back, and after a series of strong plays, including another 8-0 run, they managed to take their first lead of the game. Despite missing key player Bam Adebayo due to injury, Miami's depth shone through as they ended the first half with a nine-point lead.

In the second half, Powell was instrumental, reaching 23 points with over seven minutes left in the third quarter. The Heat's rebounding efforts, particularly from Kelel Ware, were crucial in limiting Cleveland's second-chance opportunities.

Wiggins also found his rhythm in the third, but the game remained competitive as Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell and Dean Wade kept the pressure on. The drama escalated towards the end of the third quarter when Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson was ejected, adding tension to the matchup.

Heading into the fourth, Miami maintained a nine-point lead, but Cleveland surged back, led by Sam Merril, who hit four consecutive three-pointers to tie the game. The final moments of regulation were intense, with the lead changing hands multiple times.

A clutch shot by Jaquez Jr. with just seconds left sent the game into overtime. In the overtime period, Miami started strong, with Jaquez Jr. contributing key free throws. As the teams traded baskets, it came down to a final possession for the Heat.

With just 0.4 seconds remaining, Nikola Jovic executed a perfect inbounds pass to Wiggins, who completed the alley-oop for the game-winning dunk. This victory marked Miami's fifth consecutive home win, a feat they last achieved in the 2012-13 and 2019-20 seasons, according to NBC 6 South Florida.

The game served as a testament to the competitive nature of the NBA this season and highlighted Miami's resilience despite their earlier struggles. Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell had a stellar performance as well, contributing 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it was not enough to secure the win.

The teams are set to meet again in Miami, promising another exciting chapter in this developing rivalry.